As a last minute addition to a Philippine business delegation to Moscow, I joined a lunch last June 3 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Moscow for two dozen Russian travel operators. We had a delightful buffet lunch of snow crab legs, salmon terrine, beef stroganoff, chicken adobo, and a buffet table of Filipino dessert prepared by Filipino chef Brian of Ritz Carlton.
Since I was so focused on an earlier MOU signing in Korea, I did not come prepared to meet Russian CEOs of travel companies in my capacity as co-chairman of El Nido Resorts.
But Joy Denoga, our head of marketing of El Nido Resorts, did an amazing overnight response by sending a Russian language flyer on El Nido. Our marketing agent in Moscow brought El Nido CDs, calendars, gift cards packages and leaflets, which were distributed to each of the Russian travel industry executives.
As it turned out, El Nido already has a following in Moscow. Tourism Secretary Ace Durano introduced me to the CEO of the largest tour operator in Russia, who was most keen to send Russian tourists to El Nido. The CEO showed me their tour catalog, which featured El Nido Lagen and Miniloc. There was a rather embarrassing moment when several of the travel executives wanted to sit beside me over lunch.
I met a husband and wife travel team, Alevtina Abenoja and her Filipino husband Rudy. They had a memorable visit to El Nido with their one year old son. They are a very passionate promoter of El Nido Resorts and gave me a download of positive feedback from their clients who specially treasured the natural beauty and friendly service of El Nido.
Overall, El Nido came out well and was the only destination with any hand-out. Not a bad outcome for someone who joined the Russian trip at the last minute.
